Barrier characteristics of epithelial cultures modelling the airway and intestinal mucosa: A comparison

The barrier characteristics of polarized layers of Calu-3 and Caco-2 cell lines, as commonly used in vitro models of intestinal and airway mucosa, respectively, were investigated by assessing the translocation of model macromolecules and nanoparticles. The barrier capacity of the cell layers towards the movement of macromolecules and nanoparticulates differed considerably between the cell lines. Permeability studies revealed the existence of a notably larger solute molecular weight limit for paracellular diffusion in Caco-2 monolayers compared to Calu-3 cells. Removal of mucus in Calu-3 cells resulted in cell layers exhibiting a larger macromolecular permeability, in addition to improved nanoparticle translocation. Microscopic examination of the tight junctions, as cellular features that play a major role in preventing transepithelial movement of macromolecules, revealed that the appearance of cell–cell boundaries was notably different in the two cell lines, which could explain the differences in macromolecular permeability. The data overall showed that epithelial layers of airway Calu-3 and intestinal Caco-2 cell cultures in vitro exhibit a different level of restrictiveness and this is due to the cell morphology and the presence of mucus.

► Barrier characteristics of Calu-3 and Caco-2 layers are significantly different.
► Paracellular route in Caco-2 accommodates solutes of larger molecular mass.
► Mucus presents an additional barrier to permeability of dextrans and nanoparticles.
► Appearance of cell–cell boundaries notably different in Caco-2 and Calu-3 layers.
► Disparity in permeability explained by differences in morphological characteristics.